We
are in the process of developing these equipment
advice pages for many of the key items of equipment,
in order to help people prepare better for their
trips. We are always editing these pages, so if
you have any feedback about information we should
add to the page, please let us know.

This
page has largely been written by Emma
from our Windermere
HQ, and it's here that most people
have their first contact with us, in person or on
the phone. We feel it's important that all our staff
are experts on the mountains and kit we offer, so
we are all involved in developing these advice pages.

Which
rucksack?Rucksacks
come in all shapes and sizes, each with a wide range
of features designed to suit different purposes. One
of the first considerations when choosing a new rucksack
is the minimum and maximum capacity that you need. This
will depend on what you plan to use if for (e.g. everyday
bag or a week-long trip) and how much you need to take
(the bare essentials, or kit for an overnight stay).
Rucksacks are measured by the total capacity of all
of the pockets in litres, i.e. you will be able to fit
in 30 litres of gear in a 30 litre rucksack. The rucksacks
we stock in our shop are between 22 litres, and 45 litres.
Some rucksacks have adjustable capacity, such as Karrimor's
Alpiniste 35l + 10. We recommend that a rucksack that
has a maximum capacity of 40 litres is sufficient for
the majority of our courses.To return to the
equipment lists and advice pages overview, please click
here.

The
Fit
It is essential to ensuring that your rucksack fits you
correctly so that you can carry it, and the weight of
its contents, in comfort. The fit of a rucksack varies
for every person, and depends on your build and back length.
The best way to ensure that a rucksack is suitable for
your size, and will be comfortable, is to try them on
and spend time adjusting the straps, and comparing to
other rucksacks. The Icicle mountaineering shop has 7
different models of rucksack which you can try on and
find the one that is the most suitable for your requirements,
and the best and most comfortable fit.Back or shoulder straps
The back/shoulder straps are the main straps that go over
your shoulder. These are usually padded for comfort, and
adjustable on most rucksacks. If the backpack sits too
low, even when adjusted, it is too big for you and vice
versa. Chest and hip straps
Chest straps secure the padded shoulder straps from slipping
off your shoulders. On most rucksacks the height of the
chest straps can be adjusted so that you can set it to
the most comfortable position, the chest strap can usually
also be tightened bringing the back/shoulder straps closer
together across the chest for optimum comfort.
A correctly sized, and fitted rucksack uses the hip straps
to take around 70% of the weight of the pack onto the
hips. This greatly reduces the amount of pressure placed
on the shoulder straps, and can also reduce backache from
wearing a pack.Pockets and compartments
Many rucksacks have at least two separate compartments
which are useful for organising and separating contents.
Many have a compartment in the lid of the rucksack which
is useful for small items that you need easy access to,
such as a headtorch, gloves, etc. Some also have additional
internal zip pockets within or on the underside of the
lid compartment, which allows items to be safely stowed
away, such as keys, money etc, and not at risk of falling
out of the main lid compartment when opened. External Attachment points
Some rucksacks offer additional capacity through being
able to attach items to the outside of the rucksack via
loops, straps, daisy chains (a strip of webbing loops),
or elasticated cord systems. External attachment points
allow you to quickly store items such as jackets, and
to stabilise the bag shape when it is not filled by reducing
the movement of the contents inside.
For mountaineering, useful attachment points on a rucksack
would include for securing ice axes, ice tool pick pockets,
welded crampon patch, and rope strap.
For skiing you may require a rucksack that has side straps
that can accommodate ski's or snowshoes, and a means of
fastening on ski poles or walking poles.
For running, you will probably want a light weight low
capacity rucksack, that can also accommodate running or
trekking poles.Compression straps
Compression straps are adjustable straps that can usually
be found on the top, side or down the front of the rucksack,
which can be pulled tight to reduce the volume of the
rucksack and to minimise movement of the items within
the rucksack.Getting advice
Our Icicle shop in Windermere stocks a wide range of kit.
Here is a quick guide as to which we sell, and some key
points to help you decide which are best for what you
need. If you need any assistance in deciding which would
be the best for you, visit our shop and Office in Windermere
in the Lake District for kit and course advice; or see
our online shop (click
here) or email our team with any queries if
you are looking to purchase anything, or wish to know
if any existing kit you have is suitable.Below
is a table showing the range that we stock in the Icicle
Windermere shop.

Rucksack
Name

Image

Key
uses

Specifications

Key
features

Black
Diamond Epic 45l rucksack

This
guide-style pack can be used for multi-day alpine routes,
casual crag outings. This
pack covers the diverse needs of the four-season climber.

Versatile
Alpine rucksack with an adjustable capacity between
35 and up to 45 litres. This
makes this pack an ideal choice for more technical climbs,
and when the volume adjustment is important to keep
the load comfortable on your back.

A
bag this size is useful for courses where you may need
a slightly larger pack capacity, such as a hut to hut
ski tour, or a technical climb. These
bags have easy stash elastic webs on the outside to
quickly store items such as jackets, and to stabilise
the bag shape when it is not filled.

A
30l bag is for those who want to travel fast and light
in the Alps or UK hills, where the size limits you from
taking too much, yet it is sufficient for climbs such
as Mont Blanc, the Matterhorn or Eiger.

A
top loading pack that is well designed, with a single
ice axe strap, and 2 side compression straps, this pack
is a good light-weight choice for ski touring. It is
a great minimalist pack that is well suited to the Alps.

For
those going fast and light, this day pack is ideal.
It has a 22 litre capacity, and can carry two ice axes
or trekking poles. The size is enough for crag climbing
too, or for hiking. As with all Black Diamond gear,
it is very well made.

Key
ropework
If you are on a climbing or skiing course, you may
wish to refresh or learn some of the key knots and
ropework before your trip. Click on a knot on the
left to visit the page that explains the 9 most
popular knots that you might use, as well as the
1:3 and 1:5 rescue hoists.